MONTGOMERY, Alabama -- It's a good thing no one tried to fit
all the candles on the cakes used yesterday at the celebration of the National
Guard's birthday. After all, 376 flames is more than a small fire hazard.

National Guard Joint Force Headquarters in Montgomery held a
celebration ceremony yesterday for the Guard's birthday. The two birthday cakes
- sans candles - were donated by the Association of the United States Army
Redstone-Huntsville Chapter. Per Army tradition, the cakes were cut by the
oldest and youngest soldiers present, Adrienne Johnson, 21, and Master Sgt.
William Oates, 61.

"Whether it's natural disasters, homeland security, or
major wars, today's National Guard members and yesterday's minutemen remain the
same person: citizen-soldiers with the conviction that their military service
requires to make their nation and communities a safer and better place to
live," said State Command Sgt. Maj. Eddie Pike.

The Guard traces its history back to Dec. 13, 1636 when the
Massachusetts General Court in Salem ordered all able-bodied men between 16 and
60 years old to join the militia. Militia members worked in their home
communities but were called on to fight when needed.

"National Guard units have fought in every major war
this country has been involved in," Brig. Gen. Allen Harrell, Alabama
National Guard Director of the Joint Staff, told those at the celebration. "The
Guard today is comprised of approximately 464,000 personnel. We have the most
modern aircraft, helicopters, tanks, artillery pieces...it's a very proud
organization, and it all started 376 years ago with people just like you."